fifty-eight

The sound of her heels against the cold stone floor announced her arrival. Running her perfectly manicured hands through her hair, she turned her head to wink at a man who'd been staring after her.
"Lady" A man in a black suit greeted her nervously, opening the door that stood in her way.

She nodded in recognition, the corners of her chanel red lips up turning to reveal her pristine white teeth. She was stunned as she entered the room, the sunshine burning down on her face from the over head windows. She squinted, but only for a moment - as the sudden squeels of her so called 'friends' interrupted her trance. "Lady! You are here!" "Oh my your shoes! The new line?!" "You look just stunning!" "Please do sit down!" Their words were all mashed together, she knew they were fake. She just let them enter one ear and go straight out the other.
"Hello girls, how are we all?" Her smoothe voice drowning out their high pitched tones. Sitting down, she smoothed over her high waisted skirt, which hugged her skinny but curvy frame, looking up only to give them a reasuring smile.
"Horrible as it goes. Jeremy's firm has taken a huge plunge. Clients leaving, and the news one to come are a sure fire hit and miss. How am I meant to lead the pristine life I live without the substantial finance that is aqquired? Honestly, he needs to get his act together other wise I may have to take matters into my own hands!" The girl accross from Lady - Kristin complained.
"Really, Kristin. I don't know why you even bother with him. You could of married a much more successful man! And it's too early to get out of the marriage right now, you're 23, you've only been married a year!" Nicole was the one who spoke up now, her head slightly craning over everyone elses, her height almost giving her order.
Lady shook her head at the level of shallowness of the women. "I think Jeremy is a fine man. A lovely sense of humour, and his ambition is most admirable. He will pick the firm up in no time. But leaving him for whether his income is 'substantial' or not? Now, Kristin. Don't be like that. You marry a man for his personality and how much you love him. Not for the money and lifestyle he provides you."
They looked at her, struck by her sudden debate. There was a long silence before Kristin giggled. "Don't be daft, Lady. How do you suppose to live if you have not got enough money? How do you suppose to 'love' someone if they cannot provide? Let me go see you marry a poor, common man off of the streets and then you can be the one to produce such a questionable debate. Plus, you aren't even married! Only 22, I have a whole years knowledge over you. And don't you forget that"

Lady smiled, finally some real emotion from Kristin "Oh Kristin, just because you are one whole year older than me does not mean you are wiser. I could bet you the whole of Jeremy's fortune that I have had much more experience than you could even imagine. But that is not the point. I do not need a man to define me. And if I ever to find a man that I think is marritable then I will not do it for his money, I will intend to work too! And I hope the man I find is funny, loving, caring. Whether he be rich or as you say, 'common'. Kristin why don't you get off of your high horse and step into the real world. I wonder what your real personality is? No one could know. Not even your husband, as it is clouded by a wall of fakeness and 'hoity toity-ness'. Good luck ever being able to experience a real relationship of friendship."

Lady stood up, and smiled directly at Kristin "So sorry ladies, but I'm afraid I am going to have do to with out your company from here on. Have a wonderful life, and treat your men well. Because they deserve it" With that, she spun on her heel and walked out, feeling triumphant.

Outside the weather was still, walking down along the beach side, Lady let a laugh escape her. She was so happy, and she wondered why today was the day she had decided to break away from something she had been unhappily apart of for so long.
As she was off in her own world of glee, she didn't notice the boy she was about to run into. "Ooph!" She fell backwards, in a very un-graceful way.
"I am so, sorry! Oh gosh, are you okay? Here, let me help you" A Brittish drawl brought Lady back into conciousness, as she looked at his tan hand, that was stretched out to her, a gesture to aid her. She took it cautiously, and looked up to look into a pair of dark big brown eyes, framed by a mop of messy hair. "I'm sorry, I was completely in my own world. Thankyou"
"Oh no, no, no. It was my fault. I was on my way to the shops. I just got my pay, i'm in desperate need of a good feed"
Lady smiled at this, "How ironic" she mumbled.
"Pardon?"

"Oh, nothing. Just... Sorry, what was your name?"
"Robbie, Robbie Lane. And yourself?"

Lady faltered here. Was she really going to tell him her name was Lady? He'd be sure set off. "Celia Soteira"
He tilted his head to the side. "What a beautiful name, it seems fitting to your... Higher archy?"
She frowned, "Higher archy? No such thing. I'm the same as you."
"Whatever you say. I'm sure you're wonderful either way" He smiled, his teeth perfectly straight. Naturally straight...
"Look, would you like to go out for lunch? Today I am starting to cleanse my life, and this seems like a more than adequate way to start"
"So I am like an experiment?"
"No! No not at all. Look i'll take you out for lunch, come on" Lady held her hand out to him, smiling her best smile.
He looked down at it, unsure. But then, shrugging Robbie took it. "Any place in particular?"
"I know just the one..."